GrowthLabs Acquires Startup Gate to Build the Region’s Largest Digital Entrepreneurship Infrastructure
GrowthLabs has announced the acquisition of Startup Gate, a hub connecting founders, investors, and mentors, in a strategic move aimed at delivering end-to-end digital solutions for startups throughout their lifecycle — from opportunity discovery, networking, and funding access to incubation, acceleration, and innovation support programmes.
The acquisition establishes what is described as the region’s first fully integrated entity combining entrepreneurial communities with advanced technology infrastructure, strengthening GrowthLabs’ position as a leading innovation ecosystem player with expansion plans across the Gulf and Africa in 2026. The integrated platform will provide real-time data and analytics across the entire startup journey, creating a seamless pathway from company registration to investment readiness while enabling founders to accelerate growth and market impact.
The platform is designed to serve a broad ecosystem of stakeholders, including innovation-driven corporates, universities, angel investors, and venture capital firms, positioning GrowthLabs as a strategic partner for governments driving digital transformation and entrepreneurship-led economic growth. The newly unified entity also brings together deep local expertise and regional market knowledge backed by a proven track record of supporting founders, investors, and development institutions.
The acquisition was strategically orchestrated by M-Empire as part of its broader efforts to consolidate high-growth innovation infrastructure across the region. Under the deal, two strategic arms — Startup Gate and Catalyst OS, GrowthLabs’ digital operating system for incubators and accelerators — will integrate under GrowthLabs’ leadership to create a unified platform connecting community, data, and execution.
Commenting on the acquisition, Islam Mohamed, CEO of GrowthLabs, said:
“This acquisition embodies our vision to construct an integrated entrepreneurial infrastructure that yields a profound, far-reaching impact on the broader economy.”
He added:
“By synergising GrowthLabs’ technological strength with Startup Gate’s extensive network, we will deliver data-driven solutions anchored in real-time analytics.”
As part of its 2026 roadmap, GrowthLabs plans to launch seven flagship corporate innovation programmes and introduce the first cross-border entrepreneurial community in the MENA region, aimed at connecting markets and facilitating the movement of investment opportunities and talent across borders.
Maged Ghoneima, Co-founder and Managing Partner of M-Empire, described the deal as:
“A landmark move in our strategy to eliminate fragmentation within the MENA startup landscape.”
Meanwhile, Emmy Tawfik, Founder of Startup Gate and COO of GrowthLabs Holding, stated that the acquisition marks the next phase of Startup Gate’s evolution from a networking platform into a fully integrated digital entrepreneurship infrastructure supporting startups from inception to sustainable growth and investment readiness.
GrowthLabs has successfully executed more than 60 international programmes and supported over 5,000 startups across markets including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Pakistan, and South America through partnerships with government entities, academic institutions, and international development organisations.
